Biography
Research Interests:
Dr. Amy Arnold's laboratory works on understanding how the brain controls blood pressure and energy balance. Her studies focus on how the renin-angiotensin system, and in particular the protective hormone angiotensin-(1-7), interacts with the brain to improve blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and body weight in cardiovascular-related diseases such as hypertension and obesity.
Her team uses a variety of approaches in mice, including blood pressure monitoring, analysis of autonomic function, and measurement of insulin action and energy balance. Current projects in mouse models include studying the ability of angiotensin-(1-7) to treat and prevent the development of diet-induced hypertension and insulin resistance, the neural mechanisms involved in these effects, and potential sex differences. Dr. Arnold’s laboratory also collaborates with physicians in the Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute for translational “bench-to-bedside” studies examining the effects of angiotensin-(1-7) on blood pressure, sympathetic activity, insulin sensitivity, and energy expenditure in patients with obesity.
Another focus of the Arnold laboratory is understanding mechanisms and treatment approaches for patients with cardiovascular autonomic disorders, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.
Teaching and Educational Interests:
Dr. Arnold is a faculty member in the Neuroscience, Anatomy, and Biomedical Sciences (BMS) graduate programs as well as the MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program. She lectures for several courses within these programs as well as serves on the Neuroscience Program Advisory Board.